About the DPS series

Background and purpose

What is DPS?

The DPS is a biweekly seminar hosted by three development studies programmes at Lund University during the spring semester. Graduate School became involved in 2014 and has invited over 25 speakers to come share their experiences with our students since then. The purpose of the series is to create a stronger link to specific development-related fields, to Development practitioners are invited to share their expertise and experiences with our motivated and ambitious students, who are the next generation of development practitioners.

The aim of the series is to link theory to practice and giving students concrete examples of careers within the broader field of development. Specific objectives included:

To arrange a seminar series with practitioners from different fields of development to share their experiences with students of development studies during 2014-2016

To provide the opportunity for students to link their theoretical education to practical experience from specific areas of work

To encourage networking and other spin-off effects

Invited students include Master's students of Development Studies, Global Studies and Social Studies of Gender (Graduate School), Master's students of International Development and Management (LUMID) as well as Bachelor's students in Development Studies (BIDS).

Speakers were asked to address how practitioners first entered into their current area of expertise, different aspects of career development and important skills that they have attained, as well as challenges they have met and how/ if these were overcome. Students were given the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussions with the practitioners, and often were given the possibility to remain in contact with them in the future.

Who is invited to participate?

Invited students include Master's students of Development Studies, Global Studies and Social Studies of Gender (Graduate School), Master's students of International Development and Management (LUMID) as well as Bachelor's students in Development Studies (BIDS). The seminars provide an opportunity for students to engage in conversation with an individual with a career in the development field.

What do speakers talk about?

Key points of interest include how practitioners first entered into their current area of expertise, different aspects of career development and important skills that they have attained, as well as challenges they have met and how/ if these were overcome. As the students are looking ahead to take steps of their own on paths following their studies, our guests shared experiences and ideas surrounding the field of development will provide an excellent starting point, also creating potentially inspirational and informative seminars.

When are the seminars held?

The series will be held every second Monday afternoon. The seminars include a coffee break where the speaker and students from different programmes can meet and mingle. Students will receive a formal invitation, where detailed information regarding venues, dates and time will be enclosed.